When Weakness Wins
United States of Corinthians II • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 6 viewsNotes
Transcript
United States of Corinthians II — Week 10 (
United States of Corinthians II — Week 10 (
When Weakness Wins
Text: 2 Corinthians 11:16–13:14
Big Idea: The true gospel is not about showing off strength but about boasting in scars, resting in grace, and being restored by Christ.
Anchor Flow:
Scars Over Stats → Grace Over Strength → Restoration Over Ruin
Introduction
Introduction
Corinth wanted polished leaders with big résumés and power displays.
Paul brings… scars, weakness, and even a basket-escape story.
Tension: What kind of leader brags about being weak? Only one shaped by the Cross.
Read two anchors aloud:
12:9 — “My grace is sufficient…”
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
13:11 — “Aim for restoration…”
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Roadmap: Scars Over Stats → Grace Over Strength → Restoration Over Ruin.
Point 1 — Scars Over Stats (11:16–12:6) (≈9 min)
Point 1 — Scars Over Stats (11:16–12:6) (≈9 min)
11:16–21 — The Fool’s Speech
11:16–21 — The Fool’s Speech
Paul plays the fool because Corinth loves boasting.
Contrast: False apostles enslave, exploit, domineer (v.20) — the opposite of Jesus.
Line: If leadership uses people, it’s not gospel leadership.
11:22–29 — Credentials vs Cost
11:22–29 — Credentials vs Cost
Paul matches their résumé (“Hebrew… Israelite… offspring of Abraham”).
But real proof is scars: beatings, lashes, hunger, anxiety for the church.
Shepherd’s heart: “Who is weak, and I am not weak?” (v.29).
11:30–33 — Basket Escape
11:30–33 — Basket Escape
His “boast” climax: lowered in a basket to escape. Humiliating optics—but Paul owns it.
Application: Would you rather show people your highlight reel or your “lowlight reel”?
12:1–6 — Paradise Vision
12:1–6 — Paradise Vision
“Caught up” to paradise (ἁρπάζω / harpazō) — but refuses to brag.
Mystical experience isn’t the proof of authenticity.
Paul says: I’ll only boast in weakness, so Jesus gets the spotlight.
Bridge: So what happens when the weakness stays? → Grace.
Point 2 — Grace Over Strength (12:7–10) (≈10–11 min)
Point 2 — Grace Over Strength (12:7–10) (≈10–11 min)
12:7 — Thorn in the Flesh
12:7 — Thorn in the Flesh
Greek skólops = stake, splinter. Sharp, constant pain.
Purpose: to keep him humble. Pride destroys ministry; weakness protects it.
12:8–9 — Three Prayers, One Answer
12:8–9 — Three Prayers, One Answer
Paul pleads three times.
Jesus responds: “My grace is sufficient (ἀρκεῖ) … My power is perfected (τελεῖται) in weakness.”
Meaning: God doesn’t just compensate—He completes His power through weakness.
12:10 — When Weakness Wins
12:10 — When Weakness Wins
“When I am weak, then I am strong.”
Weakness = not disqualified but qualified to display Christ’s power.
Illustration:
Kintsugi pottery (broken pieces filled with gold). The cracks don’t disappear—they become the glory.
That’s the cross. That’s Paul. That’s us.
Point 3 — Restoration Over Ruin (12:11–13:14) (≈7–8 min)
Point 3 — Restoration Over Ruin (12:11–13:14) (≈7–8 min)
12:11–18 — Paul’s Fatherly Integrity
12:11–18 — Paul’s Fatherly Integrity
“I seek not what is yours but you.” (v.14)
Titus walked in the same Spirit—integrity matters.
12:19–21 — Tough Love
12:19–21 — Tough Love
Paul fears finding quarreling, jealousy, sexual sin.
Real love doesn’t coddle sin; it calls for repentance.
13:5 — Examine Yourselves
13:5 — Examine Yourselves
Greek dokimazete = test metal for purity.
The question isn’t perfection but: Is Christ in you?
13:7–10 — Authority that Builds
13:7–10 — Authority that Builds
Paul doesn’t pray to be proven right; he prays they do right.
Apostolic authority aims for restoration, not ruin.
13:11–14 — The Benediction
13:11–14 — The Benediction
Final words: “Aim for restoration… live in peace.”
Closes with the Triune blessing: grace, love, fellowship.
Conclusion & Call (≈2–3 min)
Conclusion & Call (≈2–3 min)
Circle back:
Corinth wanted stats; Paul gave scars.
Corinth wanted strength; God gave grace.
Corinth was fractured; Paul calls for restoration.
Tie to Christ: The Cross looked like weakness but became victory. Weakness won.
Call:
What scar is God asking you to boast in for His glory?
Where do you need to rest in grace instead of chasing strength?
Who do you need to restore with love this week?
Final Prayer:
“Lord, make us people who boast in weakness, rest in Your grace, and pursue restoration through Christ.”
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
